Dean Phillips Drops Out of 2024 Presidential Race and Endorses Joe Biden: 'Onward with Joy and Patriotism'
The Minnesota congressman and former Talenti executive hoped to bring a fresh perspective to the White House, but failed to pick up delegates in his challenge against incumbent Joe Biden
Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips suspended his 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday after struggling to secure delegates in the Democratic primaries.
"To all who supported my effort, thank you. We will continue the important work to ensure a more responsive, democratic, and generationally diverse political system," Phillips wrote on X. "But today, in light of the stark reality we face, I ask you join me in mobilizing, energizing, and doing everything you can to help keep a man of decency and integrity in the White House. That's Joe Biden."
Incumbent Joe Biden has nabbed all but one delegate thus far in the Democratic primary elections, with Phillips and progressive self-help author Marianne Williamson failing to make a dent in the race by Super Tuesday. In ending his campaign, Phillips encouraged Democrats to be open to welcoming people of all ideologies into Biden's camp.
"Let's use invitation, not confrontation, to welcome Haley supporters, Trump supporters, and Uncommitted supporters to get this done," he said. "It's our calling, it's our legacy, and and it's our time. Onward with joy and patriotism!"
Phillips, 55, launched his campaign to challenge Biden, 81, in October, telling CBS Mornings' Robert Costa that he “will not sit still.”
“I will not be quiet in the face of numbers that are so clearly saying that we’re going to be facing an emergency next November," he added.
Related: Democrat Marianne Williamson 'Unsuspends' 2024 Presidential Campaign in Surprise Announcement
Although there is little difference between Phillips' positions and those of the current president’s, the congressman argued that Biden is not the best person for the job. In a July radio interview cited by Time, Phillips said “the country would be well served by a new generation of compelling, well-prepared, dynamic Democrats” taking charge.
Related: Nikki Haley Drops Out of Republican Presidential Race, Leaving Only Donald Trump
Phillips — who left his House leadership position over the party’s support for Biden’s reelection — cited the president’s age and low popularity ratings as a concern, according to CNN. A multi-millionaire and former Talenti executive, he ran with the slogans “Everyone’s invited” and “Make America affordable again."
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